by Pastor Cecil | Jul 6, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 15:1-1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.”
While attending college I worked nights as a police officer. One of the requirements was to be proficient in firing the pistol. The most difficult task in the process of firing the weapon is in keeping it steady. It is amazing how much your arm shakes when you try to aim a pistol.
Most of us did not have the time nor could we afford the expense of actually being on the range to practice. What to do? The solution was quite easy. We would practice with an empty weapon. Very carefully we would empty all of the shells, take aim at some object and pull the trigger on an empty chamber. During the boring night shift was a good time to practice shot after shot.
One night another Patrol Officer, Phil and I were practicing in the empty Police Station. Phil was leaving to go out on patrol and reloaded his weapon. Casually he remarked that we needed to practice shooting from a quick draw. He drew his pistol and – – – – you are right, he forgot it was loaded. There was a bullet hole in the wall, through the wall, just missing an expensive camera on the other side before lodging in the third wall. Ooops! We found putty and paint and as good as possible patched up the scars of the quick draw mishap.
According to today’s Scripture we have the capacity to use our words as a means to heal or to create havoc. We need to remember that we do not always click away on an empty chamber. All too often the gun is loaded and damage ensues. We need to spend more time in prayer and waiting before the Lord.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil (360) 570-0074
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 7, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 16:18-19
“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
I have never seen a more vivid example of bruised pride than at a wedding ceremony I performed several years ago. It was an outdoor wedding located on a small farm with livestock almost outnumbering the invited guests.
Folding chairs had been lined up and the wedding party was all in place except the groom. He had planned to gallop his horse around the house and pull to a stop near his awaiting fiancé and the wedding party.
At the appropriate time he rounded the house like some wild west cowboy, complete with dressy western outfit and Stetson hat. About twenty feet from his intended stop, his horse suddenly screeched to a stop, but he didn’t. He landed in a heap. Evidently a fence had been removed, but the horse was still used to it being there. The visitors enjoyed his fall far more than he did. It was hard for me to officiate with the straight face, but I did.
Pride is a terrible thing to allow in our life. It causes us to separate ourselves from those around us as well from the Lord. Rather than humbly bowing before the Lord to ask Him for strength and guidance, the proud person tried to do it in his own power and like my cowboy groom, a fall is inevitable.
Proverbs 3:5-7 is a passage that gives us direction to overcome pride of life: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
P.S. – You can help! Please consider trying to get one other person to subscribe to the Daily-E-Votional. This worldwide ministry asks for no funds and is sent to glorify our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Have them go to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/subscribe and enter their email address.
by Pastor Cecil | May 13, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
I once read about a forest service worker who was walking through an area that had just been ravaged by a forest fire. He saw a strange mound and stopped to check it out. To his astonishment it was a mother bird that had been killed by the fire. As he knelt to examine the bird, he heard a “peep” from under the pile of ashes. When he turned the bird over he found several chicks.
Instead of flying to save herself, the mother had sacrificed herself in order to protect her brood from the fire that was sweeping toward them. That is what Jesus has done for us. He wants to shelter us under His wings from the firestorm of life.
In 1896, William Cushing wrote the words and Ira Sankey composed the music to the hymn, Under His Wings, this week’s featured hymn from GloryScapes™.
“Under His Wings“
Under His wings, I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild.
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me and I am His child.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are over;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I?m safe evermore.
Refrain: Under His wings, under His wings,
who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
safely abide forever.
To access Under His Wings, this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/underhiswings
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
Check out our website at: www.daily-e-votional.com
P.S. – You can help! Please consider trying to get one other person to subscribe to the Daily-E-Votional. This worldwide ministry asks for no funds and is sent to glorify our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 29, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:24
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
“You can count on me. I will be there for you.” I was counting on a friend to stand by me in a very important project. It was the first day of the anticipated endeavor when my friend dropped the “bomb” that he was leaving town and good luck.
Perhaps most of us have had people make promises to us and say that we can trust them, only to have them break their promise. Trust has been broken. The result is a feeling of emptiness and loss.
It may also be the loss of a dear one that leaves us forsaken and alone. In 1879, Louisa M.R. Stead experienced the tragic loss of her husband who drowned trying to rescue a young boy. In her time of loss she wrote the words to a hymn that brought comfort to her, as well as millions of others.
“‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus“
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word. Just to rest upon His promise. Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
How I love to trust in Jesus, just to trust His cleansing blood. Just in simple faith to trust me, ‘neath the healing cleansing flood.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
Yes, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, and from sin and self to cease. Now from Jesus simply taking, life and rest and joy and peace.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Him, precious Jesus, Savior, friend; and I know that He is with me, He’ll be with me to the end.
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.
To access ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes™ Christian Music Hymns & Songs, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/tissosweettotrustinjesus in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
P.S. – Check out our website at: www.daily-e-votional.com
P.P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com. Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 7, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 25:25
“As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country.”
Good news generally is quite often generated by good people. One of my dear friends is Mike Keller. Mike lives in Florida and serves as a missionary to eight prisons in that area. This is a mission field that for the most part is seldom touched with the gospel message.
Mike reports that in the month of February there were 28 professions of faith. What a tremendous reward for bringing the message of hope to the lost! But the eight local prisons is not the full scope of Mike’s ministry. Where ever he goes he seeks out opportunities to visit correctional centers.
While Mike and his family were visiting their daughter in Arkansas at Thanksgiving, he visited a Juvenile Detention Center. Here is a letter he received in response to that opportunity to minister:
“I don’t know if you remember me, but you came to JDC in Arkansas and saw me. You gave me a copy of your book. I want to start by saying thank you very much. I read all of your book and it did many things for me. About half-way through the book I felt a change deep inside me. I want you to know that your book helped me more than you know. Your friend, Sam”
Praise the Lord! That is good news! God is still in the business of saving the lost!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
P.S. – You can help! Please consider trying to get one other person to subscribe to the Daily-E-Votional. This worldwide ministry asks for no funds and is sent to glorify our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 28, 2011 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
I recently received this poem from Connie Ciccone, who generously allowed me to share it and any of her other poems. As you read it, make it your prayer.
Use Me Dear Lord
Lord, here I am to be used for You;
Give me the task You’d have me to do.
I am only a vessel made of clay,
Seeking to follow always in Your pathway.
Take me Lord, and use me today;
in your most unique and special way.
I serve You faithfully to share Your love;
that others may see what their hearts are made of.
Help me To reach what they were truly made for;
that then they may say.
Use Me Dear Lord.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
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